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What Is an E4 Tornado?

A tornado, generally stated, is a circulating column of air that reaches from the cloud where it originates to the ground. There is debate among meteorologists as to the exact definition of a tornado, as well as what factors contribute to an effective rating scale. Tornadoes were categorized according to the Fujita Scale until 2007 when a team of experts introduced the updated Enhanced Fujita Scale.

Enhanced Fujita Scale
- Formerly the Fujita-Pearson Scale, this method of classification rates the funnel's estimated wind intensity on a scale of one to five based on damage assessment. Once a tornado passes, experts rate the damage to structures such as mobile homes, motels, trees and barns on a scale of one to eight. Collectively, these assessments allow experts to estimate the speed of wind at the time of contact. The winds within an EF4 tornado range between 166-200 mph in three-second gusts.
Dangers
- Though tornadoes of this intensity are somewhat rare, an EF4 tornado is by definition extremely destructive. It will easily sweep away mobile homes and automobiles and can even level well-constructed brick homes. An EF4 tornado picks up most objects in its path, forcefully launching them long distances. EF4 tornadoes leave large, dense amounts of displaced debris. An EF5, the strongest classification, levels nearly any structure but scatters the debris over a larger area.
What to Do
- Act immediately once a tornado is spotted or announced. Ideally, retreat to the nearest storm shelter if available; otherwise, take shelter in the lowest floor of a building. Mobile homes are not considered substantial protection from a tornado. If there is no safe building nearby, lie in a ditch and cover your head to avoid injury from flying debris. Never remain in an automobile, poorly constructed building or under a bridge.
In the News
- In April 2011, an outbreak of tornadoes hit the southeast region of the United States. A rare EF4 tornado ripped through northwest Georgia, leaving 13 miles of destruction and eight fatalities in its wake. The storm damaged nearly 100 homes. Another EF4 struck Bridgeton, Missouri within the same week. Approximately 750 homes were damaged, but amazingly no fatalities were reported. Alabama was the state hit hardest during the outbreak, with a total of more than 200 fatalities.

Nature